Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)
Dates
- Existence: 1875 - 1940
Biography
Donald Francis Tovey was born at Eton on 17 July 1875. His father was an Assistant Master at Eton College. He was educated privately by the music and general teacher Miss Sophie Weisse (1851-1945) and later on studied under Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924) and Sir C. H. Parry (1848-1918). Tovey then won a music scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a BA, Classical honours, in 1898. As a pianist, a series of chamber music concerts followed in London, Berlin and Vienna where he played with Halle, Joachim, Hausmann, Casals, and other artists. He also composed. In 1914 he was appointed to the Reid Chair of Music at Edinburgh University in succession to Professor Niecks (1845-1924). As Professor he broadened the music curriculum by instituting classes in musical interpretation, orchestration, history and analysis, thorough-bass, score reading, and advanced counter-point and composition. Tovey also established and conducted the Reid Orchestra and organised an annual series of concerts. His musical compositions were in many forms including chamber music, symphony, grand opera and concerto, and probably the most famous was his opera The bride of Dionysus produced in Edinburgh in 1929. His literary publications include the six volumes of Essays in musical analysis (1935-1939), and A musician talks (1941). Tovey was knighted in 1935. Sir Donald Francis Tovey died on 10 July 1940.
Found in 2127 Collections and/or Records:
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Florence Emily Barger, c1930
Postcard, [n.d], London, Florence Barger to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to dinner. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Florence Emily Barger, c1923
Postcard, [1923], London, Florence Barger to Donald Tovey. Consoling Tovey over some anxiety about his sister-in-law and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frances Busch, 17 August 1935
Postcard, 17 August 1935, Salzburg, Frances Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing concern over Tovey's illness and wishing him a speedy recovery. Holograph signed, with black and white picture of Salzburg.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 30 October 1906
Postcard, 30 October 1906, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. News that Kelly has sent off copies of his waltzes to Tovey. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 22 February 1906
Postcard, 22 February 1906, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. Sending Tovey the 'solution' to a canon. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 21 September 1905
Postcard, 21 September 1905, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Kelly has sent off his waltzes, and details of the effect the waltzes had on Kelly. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 20 September 1905
Postcard, 20 September 1905, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. News of Kelly's compositions, and lunch with Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 05 July 1923
Postcard, 5 July 1923, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. News of all the musicians gathered with Fritz Busch and note of Tovey's absence. Holograph signed, with black and white photograph of Fritz Busch.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 03 February 1935
Postcard, 3 February 1935, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Suggesting that Tovey rewrite the end of Schubert's C sharp symphony. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 02 February 1935
Postcard, 2 February 1935, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's reworking of Schubert's Anregungen, an informing Tovey that mail is not arriving. Holograph signed.